Apparatuses and methods using high pressure dual check valve

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods related to a high pressure fluid processing device having a dual check valve setup that can be quickly and easily maintained with replacement parts are disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a high pressure processing device includes a body including a first surface having a first recess, a second surface having a second recess, and a third surface having a third recess, a first subassembly at least partially inserted into the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including a first check valve, a second subassembly at least partially inserted into the second recess of the body, the second subassembly including a second check valve, and a third subassembly at least partially inserted into the third recess of the body, the third subassembly coupling the body to a fluid driving mechanism, wherein the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly are configured to be independently attachable to and detachable from from the first recess, second recess and third recess, respectively.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/447,070, filed Jan. 17, 2017, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by reference and relied upon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatuses and methodsrelated to a high pressure fluid processing device, and morespecifically to a high pressure mixer or homogenizer having a dual checkvalve setup that can be quickly and easily maintained with replacementparts.

BACKGROUND

High pressure fluid processing devices can be used for a variety ofpurposes, such as mixing or homogenizing unprocessed material. Forexample, homogenizers push unprocessed material through orifices at ahigh pressure, resulting in targeted particle size reduction or moleculeformation. Impinging jet reactors also use high pressure fornanocrystallization.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides apparatuses and methods related to ahigh pressure fluid processing device having a dual check valve setupthat can be quickly and easily maintained with replacement parts, andthat reduces the total number of parts compared to other designs with asimilar function. In a general example embodiment, a high pressureprocessing device includes including a first surface having a firstrecess, a second surface having a second recess, and a third surfacehaving a third recess, a first subassembly at least partially insertedinto the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including afirst check valve, a second subassembly at least partially inserted intothe second recess of the body, the second subassembly including a secondcheck valve, and a third subassembly at least partially inserted intothe third recess of the body, the third subassembly coupling the body toa fluid driving mechanism, wherein the first subassembly, secondsubassembly and third subassembly are configured to be independentlyattachable to and detachable from from the first recess, second recessand third recess, respectively.

In another example embodiment, the first check valve is a first ballvalve, and the second check valve is a second ball valve.

In another example embodiment, an inner surface of at least one of thefirst recess, second recess and third recess is threaded for attachmentof the first subassembly, second subassembly or third subassembly,respectively.

In another example embodiment, the first subassembly, second subassemblyand third subassembly are configured to be threaded into the bodyindependently of each other.

In another example embodiment, the fluid driving mechanism is a piston,the third subassembly includes a coupling and a piston housing, and thecoupling at least partially inserted into the third aperture to enablethe piston to move back and forth within the piston housing to impart apositive or negative pressure through the third recess.

In another example embodiment, the piston does not extend into the thirdrecess when driving fluid through the first and second recesses.

In another example embodiment, the first recess and the second recessare in fluid communication via a connecting channel formed in the body.

In another example embodiment, the connecting channel has a smallerdiameter than the first recess or the second recess.

In another example embodiment, the connecting channel is a firstconnecting channel, and wherein the third recess is in fluidcommunication with the first and second recesses via a second connectingchannel formed in the body to be connected to the first connectingchannel.

In another example embodiment, the second connecting channel isperpendicular to the first connecting channel.

In another example embodiment, the first recess, the second recess andthe third recess are all in fluid communication via at least oneconnecting channel formed in the body.

In another example embodiment, at least one of the first subassembly orthe second subassembly includes a deformable material that cooperateswith a ball to form the check valve.

In another example embodiment, the deformable material is located withinan indentation formed into a valve seat that receives the ball.

In another example embodiment, the device does not include any gaskets,o-rings and/or other deformable materials.

In another example embodiment, at least one of the first subassembly andthe second subassembly does not include a gasket, o-ring and/or otherdeformable material.

In another example embodiment, the device does not include any gaskets,o-rings and/or other deformable materials contacting an inner surface ofat least one of the first recess or second recess.

In another example embodiment, does not include any gaskets, o-ringsand/or other deformable materials contacting an inner surface of thethird recess.

In another example embodiment, a method of repairing the high pressureprocessing device includes removing one of the first subassembly, secondsubassembly and third subassembly from the body independently of theothers of the first subassembly, second subassembly and thirdsubassembly, replacing a part of the removed first subassembly, secondsubassembly or third subassembly, and reattaching the removed firstsubassembly, second subassembly or third subassembly with thereplacement part.

In another example embodiment, a method of producing a fluid dispersionincludes passing a flowable material including particles through thedevice.

In another example embodiment, a method of reducing particle sizeincludes passing a particle stream through the device.

In another general example embodiment, a high pressure processing deviceincludes a first surface having a first recess and a second surfacehaving a second recess, the second surface located opposite to the firstsurface, a first subassembly inserted into the first recess of the body,the first subassembly including a first plug configured to form aone-way valve in combination with a first valve seat, and a secondsubassembly inserted into the second recess of the body, the secondsubassembly including a second plug configured to form a one-way valvein combination with a second valve seat, wherein the first recess isfluidly connected to the second recess by a connecting channel such thatthe first recess, second recess and connecting channel form an apertureextending straight through the body from the first outer surface to theopposite second outer surface.

In another example embodiment, the first subassembly and the secondsubassembly are configured to be independently attachable to andremovable from the first recess and second recess, respectively.

In another example embodiment, the device includes a third subassemblyinserted into a third recess on a third outer surface of the body, thethird subassembly coupling the body to a fluid driving mechanism.

In another example embodiment, the third outer surface is approximatelyperpendicular to the first surface and the second surface.

In another example embodiment, the connecting channel is a firstconnecting channel, and wherein the third recess is fluidly connected tothe first recess and the second recess by a second connecting channelconnected to the first connecting channel.

In another example embodiment, the first subassembly includes a firstgland configured to be threaded into threads on an inner surface of thefirst recess, and the second subassembly includes a second glandconfigured to be threaded into threads on an inner surface of the secondrecess.

In another example embodiment, the first subassembly includes one ormore of a first biasing element retainer, a first biasing element, afirst plug, a first deformable material, a first valve seat and a firstsubassembly gland.

In another example embodiment, the first subassembly consists of one ormore of a first biasing element retainer, a first biasing element, afirst plug, a first deformable material, a first valve seat and a firstsubassembly gland.

In another example embodiment, the second subassembly includes one ormore of a second valve seat, a second deformable material, a secondplug, a second biasing element, a second biasing element retainer, asecond channel member and a second subassembly gland.

In another example embodiment, the second subassembly consists of one ormore of a second valve seat, a second deformable material, a secondplug, a second biasing element, a second biasing element retainer, asecond channel member and a second subassembly gland.

In another example embodiment, a method of repairing the high pressureprocessing device includes removing one of the first subassembly andsecond subassembly from the body independently of the other of the firstsubassembly and second subassembly, replacing a part of the removedfirst subassembly or second subassembly, and reattaching the removedfirst subassembly or second subassembly with the replacement part.

In another example embodiment, a method of producing a fluid dispersionincludes passing a flowable material including particles through thedevice.

In another example embodiment, a method of reducing particle sizeincludes passing a particle stream through the device.

In another general example embodiment, a high pressure processing deviceincludes a body including a fluid flowpath extending therethrough, acoupling including a first end, a second end and a channel extendingfrom the first end to the second end, the first end of the couplingthreading to threads on an inner surface of a recess formed in the body,a piston housing removably attachable to the second end of the coupling,the piston housing including an inner compartment placed in fluidcommunication with the recess of the body by the channel of thecoupling, and a piston actuatable within the inner compartment of thepiston housing, wherein actuating the piston back and forth within theinner compartment of the piston housing causes fluid to flow through thefluid flowpath of the body.

In another example embodiment, the piston does not extend into the bodywhen actuating back and forth to cause fluid to flow through the fluidflowpath of the body.

In another example embodiment, the coupling is attached to the body onlyby threading the first end of the coupling inside the recess.

In another example embodiment, the fluid flowpath extends from a firstouter surface of the body to a second outer surface of the body, and therecess is located in a third outer surface of the body different fromthe first and second surfaces.

In another example embodiment, the fluid flowpath extends parallel to anouter surface of the body including the recess.

In another example embodiment, the device includes a first subassemblyat least partially inserted into a different recess in the body, thefirst subassembly including a first check valve and forming at leastpart of the fluid flowpath.

In another example embodiment, the device includes a second subassemblyat least partially inserted into a second different recess in the body,the second subassembly including a second check valve and forming atleast part of the fluid flowpath.

In another example embodiment, the first subassembly, second subassemblyand third subassembly are configured to be independently attachable toand removable from the body.

In another example embodiment, a method of producing a fluid dispersionincludes passing a flowable material including particles through thedevice.

In another example embodiment, a method of reducing particle sizeincludes passing a particle stream through the device.

In another general example embodiment, a high pressure processing deviceincludes a first check valve assembly, the first check valve assemblyincluding a first body including a first recess, a second recess, and athird recess, a first subassembly including a first check valve, thefirst subassembly inserted at least partially into the first recess ofthe first body, a second subassembly including a second check valve, thesecond subassembly inserted at least partially into the second recess ofthe first body, and a third subassembly coupling the body to a fluiddriving mechanism, the third subassembly inserted at least partiallyinto the third recess of the first body, and a second check valveassembly, the second check valve assembly including a second bodyincluding a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess, a firstsubassembly including a first check valve, the first subassemblyinserted at least partially into the first recess of the second body, asecond subassembly including a second check valve, the secondsubassembly inserted at least partially into the second recess of thesecond body, and a third subassembly coupling the body to a fluiddriving mechanism, the third subassembly inserted at least partiallyinto the third recess of the second body, wherein the first body and thesecond body are physically separate bodies, and the first, second andthird subassemblies attached to one of the first and second bodies canbe serviced without disrupting the other of the first and second bodies.

In another example embodiment, a method of producing a fluid dispersionincludes passing a flowable material including particles through thedevice.

In another example embodiment, a method of reducing particle sizeincludes passing a particle stream through the device.

In another general example embodiment, a method of repairing a highpressure processing device including a body, a first subassemblyincluding a first check valve, a second subassembly including a secondcheck valve, and a third subassembly coupling the body to a fluiddriving mechanism, includes removing one of the first subassembly,second subassembly and third subassembly from the body independently ofthe others of the first subassembly, second subassembly and thirdsubassembly, replacing a part of the removed first subassembly, secondsubassembly or third subassembly, and reattaching the removed firstsubassembly, second subassembly or third subassembly with thereplacement part.

In another example embodiment, removing one of the first subassembly,second subassembly and third subassembly from the body includesunthreading the one of the first subassembly, second subassembly andthird subassembly from an inner surface of a recess of the body.

In another example embodiment, reattaching the removed firstsubassembly, second subassembly or third subassembly with thereplacement part includes threading the removed first subassembly,second subassembly or third subassembly to an inner surface of a recessof the body.

In another example embodiment, the method includes removing the firstsubassembly from the body independently of the second subassembly andthe third subassembly, and replacing a part of the first subassemblyincludes replacing one or more of a first biasing element retainer, afirst biasing element, a first plug, a first deformable material, afirst valve seat and a first subassembly gland of the first subassembly.

In another example embodiment, removing the first assembly includesunthreading the first subassembly gland of the first subassembly from aninner surface of a recess of the body.

In another example embodiment, the method includes removing the secondsubassembly from the body independently of the first subassembly and thethird subassembly, and replacing a part of the second subassemblyincludes replacing one or more of a second valve seat, a seconddeformable material, a second plug, a second biasing element, a secondbiasing element retainer, a second channel member and a secondsubassembly gland of the second subassembly

In another example embodiment, removing the second assembly includesunthreading the second subassembly gland of the second subassembly froman inner surface of a recess of the body.

In another example embodiment, the method includes removing the thirdsubassembly from the body independently of the first subassembly and thesecond subassembly, and replacing a part of the third subassemblyincludes replacing one or more of a piston, a piston housing and acoupling of the second assembly.

In another example embodiment, removing the third assembly includesunthreading the coupling of the third subassembly from an inner surfaceof a recess of the body.

In another example embodiment, removing the third subassembly includesunthreading the body from the third subassembly while leaving the thirdsubassembly attached to a fluid driving mechanism at an opposite end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be explained in furtherdetail by way of example only with reference to the accompanyingfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of a checkvalve assembly for a high pressure processing device according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the example embodiment of thecheck valve assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the example embodiment ofthe check valve assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the exploded perspective view ofthe example embodiment of the check valve assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows another cross-sectional perspective view of the check valveassembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 show a cross-sectional side view of the example embodiment of thecheck valve assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the particular apparatuses and methodsdescribed. It is also to be understood that the terminology used hereinis for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure willbe limited only to the appended claims.

As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein maylack any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus,“comprising,” as used herein, includes “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of.”

FIGS. 1 to 6 show an example embodiment of a check valve assembly 10 fora high pressure processing device. In an embodiment, the high pressureprocessing device can be a high pressure mixer or homogenizer thatoperates, for example, at a pressure between 0 and 60,000 psi. In anembodiment, the high pressure processing device can include a pluralityof the check valve assemblies 10 as disclosed herein, with eachindividual check valve assembly 10 as described herein being separatefrom each other check valve assembly 10, enabling each check valveassembly 10 to be individually serviced without disrupting each othercheck valve assembly 10.

Check valve assembly 10 includes a central body 12 with a plurality ofrecess located therein. In the illustrated embodiment, body 12 includesa first recess 14 configured to receive a first subassembly 16, a secondrecess 18 configured to receive a second subassembly 20, and a thirdrecess 22 configured to receive a third subassembly 24. First recess 14includes threads 14 b on an inner surface thereof for threading to firstsubassembly 16, second recess 18 includes threads 18 b on an innersurface thereof for threading to second subassembly 20, and third recess22 includes threads 22 a on an inner surface thereof for threading tothird subassembly 24. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat other couplings besides threads can be used to attach firstsubassembly 16, second subassembly 20 and/or third subassembly 24 tobody 12.

Body 12 can be formed, for example, of metal, plastic, ceramic, carbonfiber/composite, and/or the like. In an embodiment formed of a highpressure processing device with a plurality of check valve assemblies10, each check valve assembly 10 may include a separate body 12.

First recess 14 and second recess 18 extend into body 12 at oppositeouter surfaces 24, 25 and are fluidly connected by a first connectingchannel 26, such that first recess 14, second recess 18 and firstconnecting channel 26 form a fluid path extending from outer surface 24to outer surface 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid pathformed by first recess 14, second recess 18 and first connecting channel26 is located along a straight axis from outer surface 24 to outersurface 25. As illustrated, the diameter of first connecting channel 26is thinner than the diameter at any portion of first recess 14 or secondrecess 18.

Third recess 22 extends into body 12 at a third outer surface 28 and isalso fluidly connected with first recess 14 and second recess 18 via asecond connecting channel 30 that connects to first connecting channel26. In the illustrated embodiment, second connecting channel 30 isperpendicular to first connecting channel 26, and third recess 22extends into body 12 in a direction perpendicular to first recess 14 andsecond recess 18, but those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat other geometric configurations are possible. As illustrated, thediameter of second connecting channel 30 is thinner than the diameter atany portion of third recess 22. In the illustrated embodiment, therecesses and connecting channels are round, but those of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that other shapes are possible.

First subassembly 16 includes a plurality of parts that together form afirst one-way check valve that can be easily inserted into and removedfrom first recess 14 without disturbing the parts located in otherrecesses. In the illustrated embodiment, first subassembly 16 includes afirst biasing element retainer 32, a first biasing element 34, a firstplug 36, a first deformable material 38, a first valve seat 40, and afirst subassembly gland 42, which can be placed into first recess 14 asshown to form first subassembly 16 and attach first subassembly 16 tobody 12. In the illustrated embodiment, first plug 36 is a ball, whichin combination with other elements of first subassembly 16 forms aone-way ball valve. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat other geometries besides a ball may be used for first plug 36. Inthe illustrated embodiment, first biasing element 34 is a spring, butthose of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other biasing elementsthat can be used for first biasing element 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, first biasing element retainer 32 isinserted into first aperture 16 so that a curved surface 32 a of firstbiasing element retainer 32 is placed against a corresponding curvedsurface 14 a of first recess 14. As illustrated, curved surface 14 anarrows to first connecting channel 26 and is sized to prevent theelements of first subassembly 16 from entering first connecting channel26. First biasing element 34, here a spring, is placed against firstbiasing element retainer 32 around a protrusion 32 b on the opposite endof first biasing element retainer 32 as compared to curved surface 32 a,though those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other ways forfirst biasing element retainer 32 to hold a first biasing element 34such as a spring. First plug 36 is placed between first biasing element34 and first valve seat 40, such that first plug 36 rests in acorresponding indentation 40 a of first valve seat 40 when first biasingelement 34 is extended towards first valve seat 40. In the illustratedembodiment, first deformable material 38 is placed in its owncorresponding indentation in the perimeter of indentation 40 a to ensurea fluid tight seal of channel 40 b through the center of first valveseat 40 when first biasing element 34 is extended towards first valveseat 40 and first plug 36 is located within indentation 40 a, but thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that first deformablematerial 38 may not be necessary if first plug 36 is formed to matchindentation 40 a and provide the fluid tight seal of channel 40 bthrough the center of first valve seat 40. The perimeter 40 c of firstvalve seat 40 is placed within an aperture 42 a through the center offirst subassembly gland 42, and then the outer surface 42 b of firstsubassembly gland 42 is threaded onto corresponding threads 14 b on theinner surface of first recess 14. The angled surface 40 d of first valveseat 40 abuts a corner 14 c of first recess 14 in which the diameter offirst recess 14 c changes, eliminating the need for a gaskets, o-ringand/or other deformable material seal between first valve seat 40 andthe inner surface of first recess 14.

The components of first subassembly 16 are arranged so that fluid canflow through first recess 14 to first connecting channel 26. First valveseat 40 includes channel 40 b through the center thereof to permit fluidflow when indentation 40 a is not sealed by first ball 36. First springretainer 32 also includes an aperture therethrough or indention into anoutside thereof to allow fluid to flow from channel 40 b of first valveseat 40 to first connecting channel 26 when indentation 40 a is notsealed by first plug 36.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a first flowpath is completed byattaching an collar 66, an outer gland 68 and an inlet connection 70 tothe end of first subassembly 16. In the illustrated embodiment, an innersurface 42 c of first subassembly gland 42 can be threaded to an outersurface 68 a of outer gland 68, and collar 66 can be placed against aninner surface 68 b of outer gland 68 between inlet connection 70 andouter gland 68. As illustrated in FIG. 2, fluid and/or gas may flowthrough the first flowpath by flowing through a central channel 70 a ininlet connection 70, through central channel 40 b of first valve seat40, to first connecting channel 26. First plug 36 ensures that fluidand/or gas only flows in the direction from inlet connection 70 throughfirst valve seat 40 to first connecting channel 26, and not from firstconnecting channel 26 through first valve seat 40 to inlet connection70. The outer end 70 b of inlet connection 70 may connect, for example,to a fluid inlet.

First deformable material 38 can include an o-ring or another deformablematerial that helps create a seal between first plug 36 and first valveseat 40 when first biasing element 34 is extended towards first valveseat 40. It should be understood, however, that an advantage of thepresent design is that gaskets, o-rings and/or other deformablematerials are not needed to seal the space between the outer surfaces ofany of the elements of first assembly 16 and the inner surface of firstrecess 14. As set forth above, the angled surface 40 d of first valveseat 40 abuts a corner 14 c of first recess 14 in which the diameter offirst recess 14 c changes, eliminating the need for a gasket, o-ringand/or other deformable material to seal between first valve seat 40 andthe inner surface of first recess 14. In an embodiment, firstsubassembly 16 does not include any gaskets, o-rings and/or otherdeformable materials. In another embodiment, the only gasket, o-ringand/or other deformable material used in first assembly 16 is firstdeformable material 38. In another embodiment, there are no gaskets,o-rings and/or other deformable materials inserted into first recess 14that contact the inner surface of first recess 14.

Second subassembly 20 includes a plurality of parts that together form asecond one-way check valve that can be easily inserted into and removedfrom second recess 18 without disturbing the parts located in otherrecesses. In the illustrated embodiment, second subassembly 20 includesa second valve seat 44, a second deformable material 46, a second plug48, a second biasing element 50, a second biasing element retainer 52, asecond channel member 54 and a second subassembly gland 56, which can beplaced into second recess 18 as shown to form second subassembly 20 andattach second subassembly 20 to body 12. In the illustrated embodiment,second plug 48 is a ball, which in combination with other elements ofsecond subassembly 20 forms a one-way ball valve. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that other geometries besides a ball maybe used for second plug 48. In the illustrated embodiment, secondbiasing element 50 is a spring, but those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize other biasing elements that can be used for secondbiasing element 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, second valve seat 44 is inserted intosecond aperture 16 so that an angled, cone-shaped surface 44 a of secondvalve seat 44 is placed against a corresponding angled surface 18 a ofsecond recess 18. Cone-shaped surface 44 a of second valve seat 44 isadvantageous, for example, because it avoids the need for a gasket,o-ring and/or other deformable material to seal the contact between thesecond valve seat 44 and the second recess 18 and uses a directsurface-to-surface (e.g., metal-metal) contact. As illustrated, angledsurface 18 a narrows to first connecting channel 26 and is sized toprevent the elements of second subassembly 20 from entering firstconnecting channel 26. Second plug 48 is placed between second biasingelement 50 and second valve seat 44, such that second plug 48 rests in acorresponding indentation 44 c of second valve seat 44 when secondbiasing element 50 is extended towards second valve seat 44. In theillustrated embodiment, second deformable material 46 is placed in itsown corresponding indentation in the perimeter of indentation 44 c toensure a fluid tight seal of channel 44 b through the center of secondvalve seat 44 when second biasing element 50 is extended towards secondvalve seat 44 and second plug 48 is located within indentation 44 c, butthose of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that second deformablematerial 46 may not be necessary if second plug 48 is formed to matchindentation 44 a and provide the fluid tight seal of channel 44 bthrough the center of second valve seat 40.

Second biasing element retainer 52 is inserted into an aperture 54 a ofsecond channel member 54 so that a curved surface 52 a of second springretainer 52 is placed against a corresponding curved surface 54 a ofsecond channel member 54. As illustrated, curved surface 54 a narrows tochannel 54 b of second channel member 54 and is sized to prevent secondbiasing element retainer 52 from entering channel 54 b. Second biasingelement 50, here a spring, is placed against second biasing elementretainer 52 around a protrusion 52 b on the opposite end of secondbiasing element retainer 52 as compared to curved surface 52 a, thoughthose of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other ways for secondbiasing element retainer 52 to hold a second biasing element 50 such asa spring. The perimeter 54 c of second channel member 54 is placedwithin an aperture 56 a through the center of second subassembly gland56, and the outer surface 56 b of second subassembly gland 56 isthreaded onto corresponding threads 18 b on the inner surface of secondrecess 18.

The components of second subassembly 20 are formed so that fluid canflow from first recess 14, through connecting channel 26, and out secondrecess 18. Second valve seat 44 includes channel 44 b through the centerthereof to permit fluid flow when indentation 44 c is not sealed bysecond plug 48, and second channel member 54 includes channel 54 bthrough the center thereof to receive the fluid that flows past secondplug 48. Second spring retainer 52 also includes an aperturetherethrough or indention into an outside thereof to allow fluid to flowfrom channel 44 b of second valve seat 44 to channel 54 b of secondchannel member 54 when indentation 44 c is not sealed by second plug 48.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a second flowpath is completed byattaching an collar 72, an outer gland 74 and an outlet connection 76 tothe end of second subassembly 20. In the illustrated embodiment, aninner surface 56 c of second subassembly gland 56 can be threaded to anouter surface 74 a of outer gland 74, and collar 72 can be placedagainst an inner surface 74 b of outer gland 74 between outletconnection 76 and outer gland 74. As illustrated in FIG. 2, fluid and/orgas flows through the second flowpath by flowing from connecting channel26, through channel 44 b of second valve seat 44, through channel 54 bof second channel member 54, to channel 76 a in outlet connection 76.Second plug 48 ensures that fluid and/or gas only flows in the directionfrom first connecting channel 26 through second valve seat 44 and secondchannel member 54 to outlet connection 76, and not in the oppositedirection from outlet connection 76 to connecting channel 26. The outerend 76 b of outlet connection 76 may connect, for example, to fluidoutlet.

Second deformable material 46 can include an o-ring or anotherdeformable material that helps create a seal between second plug 48 andsecond valve seat 44 when second biasing element 50 is extended towardssecond valve seat 44. It should be understood, however, that anadvantage of the present design is that gaskets, o-rings and/or otherdeformable materials are not needed to seal the space between the outersurfaces of any of the elements of second assembly 20 and the innersurface of second recess 18. As set forth above, cone-shaped surface 44a of second valve seat 44 helps avoid the need for a gasket, o-ringand/or other deformable material to seal the contact between the secondvalve seat 44 and the second recess 18. In an embodiment, secondsubassembly 20 does not include any gaskets, o-rings and/or otherdeformable materials. In another embodiment, the only gasket, o-ringand/or other deformable material used in second subassembly 20 is seconddeformable material 46. In another embodiment, there are no gaskets,o-rings and/or other deformable materials inserted into second recess 18that contact the inner surface of second recess 18.

Third subassembly 24 includes a plurality of parts that together can beeasily inserted attached to and removed from third recess 22 withoutdisturbing the parts located in other recesses. In an embodiment, thirdsubassembly 24 couples the first subassembly 16 and second subassembly20, and the flowpaths through body 12, to a fluid driving mechanism, forexample, a pumping piston. In an embodiment, body 12 can be removed fromthird subassembly 24 without moving third subassembly 24 (e.g., leavingthird subassembly 24 attached to another component such as a fluiddriving mechanism at an opposite end), and without disturbing the firstsubassembly 16 and second subassembly 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid driving mechanism is a piston(not shown), and third subassembly 24 includes a coupling 60 and apiston housing 62. In the illustrated embodiment, an outer surface at afirst end 60 a of coupling 60 can be threaded into corresponding threads22 a on an inner surface of third recess 22. An outer surface at asecond end 60 b of coupling 60 can be threaded into correspondingthreads on an inner surface of a first end 62 a of piston housing 62.Channel 60 c through the center of coupling 60 permits liquid and/or gasflow between piston housing 62 and second connecting channel 30 when thepiston within piston housing 62 is actuated.

Piston housing 62 includes a central aperture 62 a that is configured toreceive a piston (not shown) at second end 62 b. In an embodiment,second end 62 b of piston housing 62 may be attached to a mechanism foractuating the piston back and forth in the direction between first end62 a and second end 62 b. When the piston is actuated towards first end62 a (and away from second end 62 b), gas and/or fluid is pushed throughchannel 60 c of coupling 60 to second connecting channel 30. When thepiston is actuated towards second end 62 b (and away from first end 62a), gas and/or fluid is pulled through channel 60 c of coupling 60 awayfrom second connecting channel 30.

In use, the piston within piston housing 62 is used to pump fluid fromthe first flowpath formed by first subassembly 16 through first recess14 to the second flowpath formed by second subassembly 20 through secondrecess 16. When the piston is actuated towards second end 62 b (and awayfrom first end 62 a), the vacuum force created by the piston pulls fluidand/or gas through the first flowpath to first connecting channel 26,and depending on the amount of fluid, also into second connectingchannel 30 and/or channel 60 c. The force of the fluid and/or gas alsocauses first plug 36 to compress first biasing element 34 towards firstbiasing element retainer 32 (down in FIGS. 1 to 4, to the right in FIGS.5 and 6), which removes the fluid tight seal created by first plug 36against indentation 40 a of first valve seat 40, and allows the fluidand/or gas to pass from channel 40 b of first valve seat 40 to firstconnecting channel 26. When the piston stops and the pressure isreleased, first biasing element 34 biases first plug 36 back towardsindentation 40 a to reestablish the fluid tight seal and prevent fluidand/or gas from reentering channel 40 b from first connecting channel26. The above may be referred to as the suction stroke of the piston.

Alternatively, the discharge stroke of the piston occurs when the pistonis actuated towards first end 62 a (and away from second end 62 b). Thepressure created by the discharge stroke pushes the fluid and/or gaspulled into first connecting channel 26 during the suction stroke pastthe first connecting channel 26 and through the second flowpath formedby second subassembly 20. When the fluid and/or gas is being pushedthrough the second flowpath, the force of the fluid and/or gas causessecond plug 48 to compress second biasing element 50 towards secondbiasing element retainer 52 (down in FIGS. 1 to 4, to the right in FIGS.5 and 6), which removes the fluid tight seal created by second plug 48against indentation 44 c of second valve seat 44, and allows the fluidand/or gas to pass from channel 44 b to channel 54 b. When the pistonstops and the pressure is released, second biasing element 50 biasessecond plug 48 back towards indentation 44 c to reestablish the fluidtight seal and prevent fluid and/or gas from reentering channel 44 bfrom channel 54 b.

By alternating between suction and discharge strokes, fluid and/or gascan be effectively pumped from channel 70 a of first inlet connection70, through the first and second flowpaths formed by the first andsecond subassemblies, to channel 76 a of second outlet connection 76.The two one-way check valves formed by first plug 36 and second plug 48ensure that the fluid and/or gas is always routed in the correctdirection from first inlet connection 70 to second outlet connection 76,or in other words from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

Third subassembly 24 is advantageous, for example, because the piston orother parts of the third subassembly can be replaced without disruptingother parts of assembly 10. As illustrated, the piston does not extendinto body 12 during the suction or discharge strokes. The piston remainswithin piston housing 62, which is located entirely outside of body 12.The piston can be replaced, for example, by detaching coupling 60 fromthird recess 22, by detaching piston housing 62 from coupling 60, and/orby detaching body 12 from coupling 60 without moving coupling 60, pistonhousing 22 and/or the piston.

By screwing third subassembly 24 into third recess 22, there is no needto attach third subassembly 24 the outer surface 28 of body 12 by othermeans, greatly simplifying the attachment and removal of thirdsubassembly 24 and therefore the piston and piston housing 62 formaintenance. It should be understood, however, that other attachmentmechanisms can be used.

As set forth above, assembly 10 is advantageous, for example, becauseeach of the first subassembly 16, second subassembly 20 and thirdsubassembly 24 can be separately removable from body 12 so that thecomponents thereof can be individually replaced. Certain components ofassembly 10 wear out more frequently and therefore require more frequentreplacement than other components, and constructing assembly 10 asdescribed herein allows a quick and easy replacement of just thosecomponents, decreasing the cost of and time needed for maintenance.

In an example embodiment, each suction and discharge pump stroke cancause a pressure between 0 and 60,000 psi through the first and/orsecond flowpaths.

In an embodiment formed with a plurality of check valve assemblies 10,each check valve assembly 10 may include a physically separate body 12,ensuring that maintenance of one body (or flowpaths therethrough) doesnot disrupt any components of another body (or flowpaths therethrough).The first, second and third subassembly of a first body can each beremoved independently of each other, and can also be removedindependently of the first, second and third subassemblies of a second,separate body.

In an embodiment, a method of repairing or maintaining a high pressureprocessing device can include identifying a part that needs replacementand removing only the subassembly needed for the part to replace thepart. By unscrewing the necessary subassembly for removal from therespective recess and screwing the necessary subassembly back into therespective recess, the replacement part can be added without disruptingthe other elements of the high pressure processing device. And becauseeach body is separate on a design with multiple bodies, the first,second or third subassembly can be removed from one body withoutdisrupting any elements of flowpaths on a second body.

An advantage of assembly 10 is that the number of parts to create adouble check valve is significantly reduced. In an embodiment, firstsubassembly 16 only includes one or more of first biasing elementretainer 32, first biasing element 34, first plug 36, first deformablematerial 38, first valve seat 40, and first subassembly gland 42 asshown and described herein, without the need for any additional parts tobe inserted into first recess 14. In an embodiment, second subassembly18 only includes one or more of a second valve seat 44, seconddeformable material 46, second plug 48, second biasing element 50,second biasing element retainer 52, second channel member 54 and secondsubassembly gland 56 as shown and described herein, without the need forany additional parts to be inserted into second recess 18. The partsinterface directly with each other as shown in the drawings without theneed for intermediate parts or additional parts such as gaskets, o-ringsand/or other deformable materials to seal the inner surfaces of therecesses.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

We claim:
 1. A high pressure processing device comprising: a body including a first surface having a first recess, a second surface having a second recess, and a third surface having a third recess; a first subassembly at least partially inserted into the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including a first check valve; a second subassembly at least partially inserted into the second recess of the body, the second recess including an angled surface, the second subassembly including a second check valve, the second check valve including a valve seat having a cone-shaped surface that correspondingly interfaces with the angled surface of the second recess; and a third subassembly at least partially inserted into the third recess of the body, the third subassembly coupling the body to a fluid driving mechanism, wherein the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly are configured to be independently attachable to and detachable from the first recess, second recess and third recess, respectively.
 2. The high pressure processing device of claim 1, wherein the first check valve is a first ball valve, and wherein the second check valve is a second ball valve.
 3. The high pressure processing device of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of at least one of the first recess, second recess and third recess is threaded for attachment of the first subassembly, second subassembly or third subassembly, respectively.
 4. The high pressure processing device of claim 1, wherein the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly are configured to be threaded into the body independently of each other.
 5. The high pressure processing device of claim 1, wherein the fluid driving mechanism is a pressure pump including a piston, wherein the third subassembly includes a coupling and a piston housing, and wherein the coupling is at least partially inserted into the third recess to enable the piston to move back and forth within the piston housing to impart a positive or negative pressure through the third recess.
 6. The high pressure processing device of claim 5, wherein the piston does not extend into the third recess when driving fluid through the first and second recesses.
 7. The high pressure processing device of claim 1, wherein the first recess and the second recess are in fluid communication via a connecting channel formed in the body.
 8. A method of repairing the high pressure processing device of claim 1, comprising: removing one of the first subassembly or second subassembly from the body independently of the others of the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly; replacing a part of the first check valve of the removed first subassembly or the second check valve of the second subassembly; and reattaching the removed first subassembly or second subassembly with the replacement part.
 9. The high pressure processing device of claim 8, wherein replacing a part of the first subassembly includes replacing one or more of a first valve seat, a first deformable material, a first plug, a first biasing element, a first biasing element retainer, a first channel member and a first subassembly gland of the first subassembly, and wherein replacing a part of the second subassembly includes replacing one or more of a second valve seat, a second deformable material, a second plug, a second biasing element, a second biasing element retainer, a second channel member and a second subassembly gland of the second subassembly.
 10. A method of producing a fluid dispersion, comprising: passing a flowable material including particles through the device of claim
 1. 11. A method of reducing particle size, comprising: passing a particle stream through the device of claim
 1. 12. A high pressure processing device comprising: a body including a first outer surface having a first recess and a second outer surface having a second recess; a first subassembly inserted into the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including a first plug configured to form a first one-way valve in combination with a first valve seat; and a second subassembly inserted into the second recess of the body, the second recess including an angled surface, the second subassembly including a second plug configured to form a second one-way valve in combination with a second valve seat, the second valve seat including a cone-shaped surface that correspondingly interfaces with the angled surface of the second recess, wherein the first recess is fluidly connected to the second recess by a connecting channel such that the first recess, second recess and connecting channel form an aperture extending through the body from the first outer surface to the opposite second outer surface, when the first and second one-way valves are open.
 13. The high pressure processing device of claim 12, wherein the first subassembly and the second subassembly are configured to be independently attachable to and removable from the first recess and second recess, respectively.
 14. The high pressure processing device of claim 2, which includes a third subassembly inserted into a third recess on a third surface of the body, the third subassembly coupling the body to a fluid driving mechanism.
 15. The high pressure processing device of claim 14, wherein the third surface is approximately perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface.
 16. The high pressure processing device of claim 14, wherein the connecting channel is a first connecting channel, and wherein the third recess is fluidly connected to the first recess and the second recess by a second connecting channel connected to the first connecting channel.
 17. The high pressure processing device of claim 12, wherein the first subassembly includes a first gland configured to be threaded into threads on an inner surface of the first recess, and the second subassembly includes a second gland configured to be threaded into threads on an inner surface of the second recess.
 18. The high pressure processing device of claim 12, which does not include any gaskets, o-rings, or other deformable materials contacting an inner surface of the first recess.
 19. The high pressure processing device of claim 12, which does not include any gaskets, o-rings, or other deformable materials arranged to seal contacts points with or within the first subassembly and with or within the second subassembly.
 20. The high pressure processing device of claim 12, wherein the first outer surface is opposite the second outer surface.
 21. The high pressure processing device of claim 20, wherein the aperture extends straight through the body from the first outer surface to the opposite second outer surface, when the first and second one-way valves are open.
 22. A high pressure processing device comprising: a body including a fluid flowpath extending therethrough from a first recess in a first outer surface of the body to a second recess in a second outer surface of the body; a first subassembly, including a first check valve, inserted into the first recess; a second subassembly, including a second check valve, inserted into the second recess; a coupling including a first end, a second end and a channel extending from the first end to the second end, the first end of the coupling threading to threads on an inner surface of a third recess formed in the body; and a pressure pump including: a piston housing removably attachable to the second end of the coupling, the piston housing including an inner compartment placed in fluid communication with the third recess of the body by the channel of the coupling, and a piston actuatable within the inner compartment of the piston housing, wherein actuating the piston back and forth within the inner compartment of the piston housing causes fluid to flow through the fluid flowpath of the body.
 23. The high pressure processing device of claim 22, wherein the piston does not extend into the body when actuating back and forth to cause fluid to flow through the fluid flowpath of the body.
 24. The high pressure processing device of claim 22, wherein the coupling is attached to the body only by threading the first end of the coupling inside the third recess.
 25. The high pressure processing device of claim 22, wherein the fluid flowpath extends from a first outer surface of the body to a second outer surface of the body, and wherein the third recess is located in a third outer surface of the body different from the first and second surfaces.
 26. The high pressure processing device of claim 22, which does not include any gaskets, o-rings, or other deformable materials contacting an inner surface of the first recess nor an inner surface of the second recess.
 27. A high pressure processing device comprising: a body including a first surface having a first recess, a second surface having a second recess, and a third surface having a third recess; a first subassembly at least partially inserted into the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including a first check valve; a second subassembly at least partially inserted into the second recess of the body, the second subassembly including a second check valve, the second check valve including a valve seat having a cone-shaped surface; and a third subassembly at least partially inserted into the third recess of the body, the third subassembly coupling the body to a fluid driving mechanism, wherein the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly are configured to be independently attachable to and detachable from the first recess, second recess and third recess, respectively, and wherein the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly are configured to be threaded into the body independently of each other.
 28. A high pressure processing device comprising: a body including a first surface having a first recess, a second surface having a second recess, and a third surface having a third recess; a first subassembly at least partially inserted into the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including a first check valve; a second subassembly at least partially inserted into the second recess of the body, the second subassembly including a second check valve, the second check valve including a valve seat having a cone-shaped surface; and a third subassembly at least partially inserted into the third recess of the body, the third subassembly coupling the body to a fluid driving mechanism, wherein the first subassembly, second subassembly and third subassembly are configured to be independently attachable to and detachable from the first recess, second recess and third recess, respectively, and wherein the fluid driving mechanism is a pressure pump including a piston, wherein the third subassembly includes a coupling and a piston housing, and wherein the coupling is at least partially inserted into the third recess to enable the piston to move back and forth within the piston housing to impart a positive or negative pressure through the third recess.
 29. A high pressure processing device comprising: a body including a first outer surface having a first recess and a second outer surface having a second recess; a first subassembly inserted into the first recess of the body, the first subassembly including a first plug configured to form a first one-way valve in combination with a first valve seat; and a second subassembly inserted into the second recess of the body, the second recess including an angled surface, the second subassembly including a second plug configured to form a second one-way valve in combination with a second valve seat, the second valve seat including a cone-shaped surface that correspondingly interfaces with the angled surface of the second recess, wherein the first recess is fluidly connected to the second recess by a connecting channel such that the first recess, second recess and connecting channel form an aperture extending through the body from the first outer surface to the opposite second outer surface, when the first and second one-way valves are open, and wherein the first one-way valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from the connecting channel into the first subassembly and the second one-way valve is configured to prevent fluid flow from the second subassembly into the connecting channel.
 30. The high pressure processing device of claim 29, wherein the angled surface of the second recess narrows to the connecting channel.
 31. The high pressure processing device of claim 29, wherein the angled surface of the second recess and the cone-shaped surface of the second valve seat are each angled an equal degree relative to a central axis of the second subassembly when the second subassembly is inserted into the second recess of the body. 